Suzanne's Tips and Tales

How to look stylish in the snow

Snow bound

Stay fashionable and stylish

Bad news is that shops and on-line boutiques are selling fast or have sold out of the warmest of gloves and accessories - so take this as a warning for next year and buy early in the Autumn season. September 2010 is the perfect time.

 However, there are still some bargains to be had.

Firstly - great opportunity to do some on-line shopping and bag the best bargains.  A good time to invest as this weather could continue and a good seasonal wardrobe will always have essential accessories in advance of the season.

Nothing looks as unstylish as being cold or looking cold. - buy the best you can afford - look to ski centres and sports shops.

Nothing looks more laughable than someone attempting to walk on ice in their skyscraper heels - wear sensible shoes and chunkier thicker soled boots for warmth and comfort and to grip the ice.  Otherwise you'll be visiting your local A&E for a plaster cast boot!  Although I do believe they come in an array of fluorescent colours these days - great for dark nights!

• Layer lots of thinner garments and longer length tops - Zara and Benetton do a good range of longer fitting vests and camisoles that cover the hips.  Until it's cold we don't think we'll need them but they are a godsend.

 

• Snowy landscapes lend themselves to bright colours - think of the ski slopes.

 

• Snowballs and snowy activities - waterproof and warm lined gloves - get to ski shops

 

• Cashmere - the best - light, warm and worth the investment - buy the best you can afford

 

• Faux fur is great. - trim on hats or hoods

 

• Glove liners

 

• Hats - most heat lost through the head - to avoid ear ache wear a hat - beanie or one with ear flaps.

  

Driving

  

• If driving you need to be safe and able to grip your wheel - never use woollen mittens for this - needs to be leather.  Driving gloves are thinner leather and sit at the wrist bone but any leather glove will do as long as you can grip, steer and change gear.

 

• Take care getting leather gloves wet and do not dry them on a radiator as they will shrivel and dry out - make sure you use a protector spray.

 

 Gloves

 

• Leather has got funkier - not just the staple black, brown and grey - opt for a bright colour to life your outfit and cheer up an otherwise black coat.

 

• Lots of amazing colours around in leather gloves - acid green and purple or in sumptuous suede.  Just remember to spray them with leather or suede protector.

 

• Leather gloves are the best for driving in - keep a pair handy in the car - get as tight a fit as possible as they stretch.

 

• Look for button detailing up the side or go for Longline gloves or Gauntlets - keep you warm up the arm and can go over  sleeves of clothes - particularly great if you are going out in the evening and need to keep warm or look great at a special occasion

 

• Always leather with workwear or formal wear and tailored. Mittens to the office will not do.

 

• A lot of jumpers /tops around with bracelet or ¾ sleeves therefore look for long line gloves with knitwear or my favourite are  wrist and arm warmers as a great option to help elongate the sleeves so they look an extension of the top.  They come mid way down the hand and offer the option of being fingerless gloves or have a thumb hole. Great way of co-ordinating with your outfit or adding some contrasting colour for fun.

 

•  They also double up as leg warmers - surprising how cold the calves get especially with the trend at home to have stone floors.

 

 

Men

•  M&S Flannel and nubuck at £22.00 from- look stylish because of the leather and flannel mix yet seem robust and chunky enough for a man to wear with casual clothes.

 

• Ski Lodge in Barry  www.skilodge.co.uk

•·        Spyder Over web Gore-tex glove £69.99 black and red

•·        Quicksilver carpals in Kelly green £29.99

 

• House of Fraser Cardiff - Black wool Firetrap wrist warmers £12.00

 

• Tedbaker.com brown Rodust Leather gloves in brown/tan £50

 

• Various from £20 at John Lewis

 

• Matalan - thinsulate or fleece gloves £3.00

 

 Women

 

• New Look - longline leather ruched gloves with fleece lining - on-line £15

 

• Kuati.com

•·        Ruth Cross long capped mittens - £58 - I love the silver birch and raspberry colours

 

•·        Also Ruth Cross Wool belt - very stylish and keeps your kidneys warm reduced to £35

 

• Samantha Holmes.com - alpaca butterfly knit gloves - long with a cuff sits just below elbow £39.50 and ankle warmers - following the current 1980's trend - perfect under wellies or over leggings.

 

• Ski Lodge in Barry  www.skilodge.co.uk
• Roxy Cold Play Gloves in Black Plaid - striking plaid print design £29.00

 

• Buffersfleece.com  - the best fleeces I've come across - fashionable and in an array of lengths and colours - she does matching scarves, ski band head warmers and fingerless gloves with matching scarves - - not on the high street but available on-line.  I sleep in one of my fleece jackets for extra warmth.   Fingerless gloves £5, whole set £25 for ski band, gloves and scarf.

 

• John Lewis Echo contrast buckle woven gloves in black and white £17.50

• Ilove cashmere.co.uk £25 cashmere wrist warmers

 

 

 

What do your gloves say about you?

 

Leather - stylish - I buy for longevity and they are an investment purchase.  I shop in advance for the season and am ready for all eventualities. I know I'll have these next year and they'll look great.  Someone who buys leather gloves will always be prepared.

 

Woollen - I like fun and there's still a bit of an inner child in me.  I like to snuggle up.

 

Fingerless - a bit bohemian - likes to be free - works outdoors and has to pick up things or grip or handle money.  I have a cold house and wear them indoors too.

 

Professional / Ski / sport        I'm an outdoors person and like to dress appropriately and practically for the weather - I'll be warm and dry outdoors.  A look best kept for outdoor pursuits like walking, tobogganing or snowballing or waiting at bus-stops - not so cool in the City.

  

Tops & Jackets

  

• Jeans retain cold so go for cord, moleskin or wear leggings or thermals under jeans for a snug fit.

 

• Great range at Barry Ski Centre - gilets are also good ways of layering with a chunky knit underneath and jeans tucked into boots.

 

• Uniglo - great items for layering - using Heattech technology uniglo.com

 

 Footwear

•  Wellie liners - all good sports and outdoor shops

 

• Fitflops - keep Fitflop boots combine style, practicality and workout the legs and bum - couldn't be better  Fur lined wellbeing boot £175 net-a-porter.com - order yours ready for next year as they are selling fast.

 check out latest Western Mail feature on everything you need to know about staying safe and warm in the snow

 

 

Posted by Suzanne on 10/01/10